Dragon drone
A dragon drone is a type of incendiary unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) initially developed and dubbed by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and Ukrainian private defense manufacturers. The drone is used to spray molten thermite at military targets in order to burn down natural barriers and fortifications that hold combatant military units. The device was created in 2024 during the Russo–Ukrainian war as a means to destroy forested areas and remove the cover of Russian soldiers. Their first documented use was in August–September 2024.[1]
Overview
[edit]Dragon drones are small UAVs that carry thermite, which is a combination of metal powders (such as aluminum) and powdered iron oxide. Thermite can produce extreme heat exceeding 2,200 °C (4,000 °F) that can severely damage and burn through most materials, including trees, human flesh, and military vehicles. According to the Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), a British anti-war organization, exposure to lit thermite can lead to intensive and deep burns and damage to bones, while also potentially causing severe psychological trauma to the victims. Dragon drones are used at lower altitudes in order to spray thermite from a shorter distance at their target.[1]
According to Ukrainian military sources, the drones are typical FPV drones holding a container filled with the thermite mixture attached, which can lift the container above a forest and ignite it above potential military targets and foliage cover.[2]
Russo-Ukrainian war
[edit]Development
[edit]Some dragon drones are stated to be developed by the private Ukrainian weapons manufacturer Steel Hornets, who have said that they produce light weapons carrying thermite which they claim "can burn through 4 millimetres (0.16 in) of metal in under 10 seconds".[1][3] While the United States Armed Forces manufacture thermite grenades, there is presently no evidence of the United States sending thermite-based weapons to Ukraine.[1][4]
Ukrainian usage
[edit]Usage of dragon drones outside of directly targeting Russian forces and equipment include assisting Ukrainian reconnaissance units by destroying forest foliage to expose enemy positions and equipment that can then be targeted with ground attacks or precision bombardment. Some military experts also stated that the fear and worry caused to Russian soldiers from the prospect of being horribly injured by molten thermite could cause more "psychological damage" to Russian forces than physical damage, and could significantly lower morale.[1][5] Defense industry analyst and former officer in the British Army Nicholas Drummond called the use of the weapon "quite innovative". Ukrainian military sources while speaking to the Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda stated that the primary use of the drones was to "destroy Russian infantry that has taken cover in strips of forest".[2]
A post by the official Twitter/X account of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense included a video of the weapon being used in the Kharkiv region against Russian forces.[1] Several other videos posted on Twitter/X by military bloggers showed their use against multiple Russian forest encampments.[6] Ukraine's 60th Mechanized Brigade stated in a social media post that “Strike Drones are our wings of vengeance, bringing fire straight from the sky!” and that "When our ‘Vidar’ works – the Russian woman will never sleep,” with Vidar referring to the Norse deity of vengeance.[7]
Legality
[edit]While it is illegal to use thermite-grade weapons against civilians, it is not considered illegal under international law to use them in military situations despite their destructive affects akin to napalm or white phosphorus. However, it is also illegal for incendiary weapons to be used on populated areas or forested regions unless the foliage is expected to be covering military equipment. The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs generally discourages their use due to the difficulty of containing fires produced by their effects, which can cause significant and widespread environmental damage and civilian harm.[1]
In a report on incendiary weapons released in 2022, Human Rights Watch stated that thermite and similar weapons are “notorious for their horrific human cost,” and can inflict fourth and fifth-degree burns that "cause damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and even bones”, with treatment of survivors requiring constant care and months of recovery.[8]
AOAV reported that Ukraine has used thermite-grade weaponry on opposing military forces, and stated that Russian units possibly used similar weaponry in Vuhledar on civilian areas in March 2023.[1] Ukraine also asserted that Russia used "unspecified incendiary munitions" on civilian areas near Kharkiv and in Bakhmut.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "What are 'dragon drones', Ukraine's latest weapon against Russia?". Al Jazeera. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ a b "Ukraine using "dragon drones" with molten metal on battlefield – CNN". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "Сталеві Шершні | Головна сторінка". steelhornets.com.ua. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "M14 grenade production starts after nine-year hiatus". US Army. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ Jankowicz, Mia. "Ukraine's wild, fire-breathing drones aim to create terror among Russian troops, military experts say". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "Dracarys! Ukraine's Fire-Spewing 'Dragon Drones' Give Russian Troops a 'Headache'". Kyiv Post. 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ Sharma, Divyam, ed. (7 September 2024). "Video: Ukraine's 'Dragon Drone' Rains Molten Metal On Russian Positions". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ a b Lendon, Brad (2024-09-07). "Ukraine's 'dragon drones' rain molten metal on Russian positions in latest terrifying battlefield innovation". CNN. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
